If you think that YouTube isn’t a good for your business and won’t give you and your web site any results, you might want to reconsider.
YouTube is the second biggest search engine behind Google, which means if you don’t have any videos on the platform, you are missing out on a huge chunk of search traffic.
Creating & promoting a video is fun and easier than you’d think. With all of the current video recording & editing technology, I’d find it hard to believe that your company doesn’t have the means to put together a creative video to promote something about your business.
Here are 9 bits of advice to get you started on your way:
#1 Plan Ahead
For the relatively limited experience I have in creating YouTube content, I know that the more time I spent up front planning shots, thinking through ideas, etc – the smoother the shoot went and the editing process was often more relaxed and organized as well. Think about what you want your end product to look like before you turn the camera on. It is a distinct possibility that your video may take another shape before it’s done, but at least start with a plan.
#2 Three Reasons to Make a Video
There are three main reasons (themes) that your video should have: to inform, to educate or to entertain. If your video isn’t serving any one of those three staples, you might want to reconsider what your video is about. Think about your own YouTube habits. How many videos have you passed along to a friend or colleague that doesn’t fall under one of those three reasons?
#3 Make Your Video Cheap, Fun & Effective
Of course, this should be your goal – but keep these three things in mind. If you are spending more money than you’d ever hope to make back in publicity or if your video is going to be a pain and frustrating to create – don’t do it.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmE_A1KQ888
#4 Creating a Video is Good for ANY Business
While every business isn’t the same, if you have found value in a website, you can find value in creating a video. If there is anything in your business that is better shown via a demonstration than a text description – a video is a great solution for you.
#5 Viral Advertising
If you are creative (or lucky, as is usually the case) to come up with a video that can be described as viral – you have done something great. Think about what viral means for your company as you create the video. Why would someone feel the need to pass along this video to their friends, promote it on their Facebook accounts or put it on their blog? If you can’t answer that question – re think your video plan.
#6 How To Videos
A how-to video is a great way for you to get started on your project. Most services that companies provide can think of something to show their customer base how to do. For example a plumbing business can show how to fix a leaky faucet. How many times do you think that video is searched and watched? And how many of those people still can’t do it right and might give that company a call to come and do it for them?
#7 Product Demonstrations
This is good for software/technology companies and retail companies alike. If you have a product, a good way to promote it is through video. Not only can you throw the video (hosted on YouTube’s servers) on your web site, but you can also find yourself being found in YouTube’s powerful search engine. A well produced product demonstration will sell a lot of product that might have never been seen before YouTube.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVkdc832Ex0
#8 Entertain & Connect with Your Audience
If you aren’t the least bit entertaining, your videos will just be there, unwatched. Sure, there are the occasional how-to videos that don’t really bring up any certain emotion, but if you really want to get seen – make an entertaining video. Think about your customers, what things interest them – what is their sense of humor like?
#9 Plan, Plan, Plan
Having good content and planning ahead is a great start. But don’t get caught over promoting yourself. Otherwise it’s just a commercial. Spend a portion of the video talking about what the product can do for the client, not about your company. Make sure it’s a high quality production as well – use a tripod, at the very least. Most cameras these days won’t have a problem putting great video quality up there – the content is up to you. Also – don’t make your video too long. 2-3 minutes is the max for most videos. If there is a reason to go long, ok – but if you are just filling time, turn the camera off and start editing.
Finally, you have to put in the energy to promote your video. Just like your website, you need to have proper linking strategies, focus on your SEO keywords. Also, with your video, you can buy ad time on YouTube. That is, if you think your video has what it takes!
That should be enough to get you started, but if you have any questions, I’d be glad to help. I’ve created a few good videos over the years and would love to help you with yours.